Southland businesses are welcoming the Government’s announcement today that international visitors can once more travel to New Zealand quarantine free. 

Borders will open to vaccinated Australian tourists from April 13, and to tourists from visa-waiver countries, including the UK, and United States, from May 2.

Bobbi Brown, General Manager of Tourism and Events for Great South, says the announcement will give certainly and clarity to businesses around Southland.

“We’re really thrilled with the plans for reopening and the announcement today. The borders have been closed for something like 730 days, so it’s been a tough two years, especially for our businesses in Fiordland” 

“We’ve all felt pretty hopeless, but it is what it is, and it’s been what it’s been. Now it’s time to get cracking and make the most of it.”

Brown says reopening to international tourists will not be like flicking a switch; there will be challenges, and businesses will need support to adjust.

“We’re really focusing on supporting our businesses through this. We haven’t just been sitting and waiting for this announcement, we’ve got a few [tourism] campaigns that are ready to go to market to bring people here.”  

Nathan Benfell, Chairperson of the Fiordland Business Association, says it is exciting news for the whole town. 

“It’s music to my ears. This sends a real message that New Zealand and Fiordland are open for business. We were all worried about weathering a third winter, so now it gives us a massive amount of confidence that we can start making plans.” 

“It’s been affecting the mental health and wellbeing of everyone. It’s not just the tourism businesses that have been impacted in Te Anau, it’s the supermarkets the service stations, the electricians; everyone.” 

Jon Spraggon, Chair of the Stewart Island/Rakiura Community Board, says the border opening is welcome news for the island.

“It’s got to be good, doesn’t it? It’s going to bring more numbers to the island and be good for tourism in New Zealand as a whole.”

He says that while Stewart Island has been lucky, seeing an influx of domestic tourists over the past couple of years, things have recently started to quieten down.

“We hope it will help extend the season and get numbers back up again. It’ll also be good for the rest of Southland, which will be good to see.” 

Kate Norris, co-owner of Trips & Tramps, a family-run guiding company in Fiordland, says the news has brought relief to tourism operators in the area. 

“It’s very exciting, it’s almost surreal really. I’m sure there will be a lot of relief around town, but also some trepidation. We just hope that we have enough staff to make it manageable.”

“I don’t think we’re going to see a sudden influx, our season doesn’t start until about October, so hopefully by then we will be all good to go.” 

Benfell says the area is grateful to the local visitors that have helped businesses survive New Zealand’s border closures. 

“We want to thank the people of New Zealand that have supported us and opted to spend their money here. We want to welcome all kiwis to come and see more of their country, but it’s great that we will also be able to welcome our ANZAC cousins.” 

Norris echoes the sentiment.

“The last two years have been pretty cool, we’ve had the opportunity to host a lot of kiwis and they’re still booking for next year which is great to see.”

“People have gone out and seen what New Zealand has to offer, and I hope it’s a trend that we see continue,” she says.  

International travelers will not be required to isolate upon arrival in New Zealand but must be vaccinated and test negative in a pre-departure test.

Visitors will also need to take a RAT test upon arrival and on day 5 or 6 in New Zealand.